March 18, 2024

Health

Human papillomavirus: a virus to be taken seriously

You have surely already heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV for short), for example during your routine STI tests, or when passing by a prevention poster.

It must be said that HPV infection is very common, with a high risk of transmission. And, although generally benign, it can lead to health complications, including cancer . Don't panic, however: a basic understanding of the subject, along with adopting the right habits, will protect you from this nasty bug.

Here's an overview of the human papillomavirus (HPV) , with tips to reduce the risks. As you've probably guessed, today we're talking about screening and vaccination.

What is the papillomavirus?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral disease transmitted through direct contact with an infected person. It typically manifests as redness , bumps , and warts at the sites of infection. In severe cases, HPV infection can also lead to cancer .

There are approximately 200 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which manifest differently and in various parts of the body. Of these, about 40 affect the genital area (penis, scrotum, vulva, vagina, cervix), as well as the anus and rectum. Furthermore, the number of potentially dangerous strains or those that can cause cancer is relatively small.

In general, an infection lasts 1 to 2 years, but it can also persist much longer.

Papillomavirus transmission

Via the skin

The human papillomavirus can be transmitted in several ways in both men and women.

Transmission is facilitated by even minor cuts, tears, or lesions in the skin. Once the skin barrier is breached, the virus can enter the body and cause infection. For this reason, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is easily transmitted through skin contact.

The papillomavirus is transmitted in particular through contact with the warts of an infected person, or through contact with an object contaminated by a wart.

Through sexual means

Another common mode of HPV transmission is through sexual intercourse . The human papillomavirus can indeed be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. A sexually transmitted HPV infection can therefore also cause lesions in the oral and respiratory tracts.

In pregnant women

In women, the papillomavirus can also be transmitted through pregnancy : a pregnant woman with genital warts can transmit the virus to her baby.

In the event of HPV infection, the infant may develop a benign tumor in the larynx, depending on the strain of papillomavirus transmitted.

Key data

Here is some additional information to give you a better idea of the risks of transmission of the papillomavirus.
An important statistic to know: 80% of sexually active men and women will be exposed to HPV at least once in their lifetime [1]. The risk of infection is therefore very high. However, this does not mean that a human papillomavirus infection will necessarily lead to serious complications such as the development of cancer.

It's also good to know that several factors influence the risk of HPV infection. In both men and women, the age of first sexual intercourse, the number of partners, and the presence of other STIs can all impact the risk of contracting the human papillomavirus.

Symptoms of the human papillomavirus

It is important to know that most HPV infections are silent, meaning they do not cause any symptoms.

However, after an infection, the papillomavirus can also manifest itself in different ways.

A gym with a sign that reads: "Keep your distance"

An infection can lead to other symptoms such as back or pelvic pain, loss of appetite and weight, and general fatigue.

When symptomatic, it usually causes small warts called condylomas on the genitals, anus, or mouth . These can be categorized as follows:

flat condylomas, which look like small red or skin-colored spots;
Papular condylomas, taking the form of small, firm growths;
condylomata acuminata, small warts resembling pinkish cauliflowers.

In women, papillomavirus can also manifest itself through burning sensations, itching and bleeding in the vulva and vagina.

The same symptoms can occur in men, affecting the penis and scrotum.

An HPV infection can cause other symptoms such as back or pelvic pain , loss of appetite and weight , and general fatigue . It can also develop into cancer.

What are the possible complications?

If left untreated, papillomavirus can lead to serious complications.

Initially, an untreated infection may cause oral and respiratory lesions for a papillomavirus transmitted during oral sex.

In the case of a sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), warts and lesions on the genitals and anus can develop into precancerous cells . Cancer can then develop after a few years.

In women, this can lead to cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer. In men, HPV infection can, more rarely, cause penile or anal cancer.

Even more rarely, a human papillomavirus (HPV) can develop into tongue cancer. This was the case for actors Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas , who developed the disease after engaging in oral sex.

The best way to avoid contracting the human papillomavirus, and therefore reduce the risk of cancer, is to receive adequate vaccination.

How is the human papillomavirus diagnosed?

Whether you are a man or a woman, human papillomavirus (HPV) is generally diagnosed following the appearance of genital warts . The doctor makes the diagnosis based on the appearance of the warts, but also using a screening test that looks for any precancerous cells.

Thus, for women aged 25 to 29, after the appearance of genital warts is noted, a test consisting of a cervical or vaginal smear will be performed every 3 years. For women aged 30 to 65, a DNA test to look for high-risk cancer viruses will be conducted every 5 years.

In men, screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) begins with an examination of the penis, scrotum, and anus to look for genital warts. For men, although less frequently, a DNA test can also be performed using cells taken from infected sites. This test will determine the type of HPV and also detect HPV strains that pose a high risk of cancer.

Vaccination and prevention

Because prevention is better than cure, the best way to avoid contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV), and therefore reduce the risk of cancer, is to receive the appropriate vaccination . This vaccine is primarily administered to girls, and now also to boys between the ages of 11 and 14, as explained in this video:

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Indeed, sexually active adults are more likely to have already contracted the virus during their lifetime, which makes vaccination ineffective. However, since the chances of having contracted all types of human papillomavirus are low, it may be worthwhile to get vaccinated, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman.

Please note, however, that the HPV vaccine is not covered by insurance: you will therefore have to pay €200 out of pocket.

If you are unsure whether you should get vaccinated against HPV, consult your healthcare professional. They will be able to determine if vaccination is beneficial for your specific situation.

Another effective way to reduce the risk of HPV infection is to use condoms . Although they only offer partial protection due to the high contagiousness of the HPV virus, condoms remain an excellent way to reduce exposure to STIs.

Finally, and this cannot be stressed enough: get tested regularly! This is important whether it's to check for the presence of HPV or any other sexually transmitted infection. For sexually active men and women, it's recommended to get tested for HPV (and other STIs ) approximately every three months.

What are the treatments for human papillomavirus?

It's important to know that, in general, genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) resolve on their own. Also, while the virus is quite common, most HPV strains remain benign, and complications are therefore relatively rare .

However, even after the warts disappear, the human papillomavirus (HPV) remains in the body. Unfortunately, there is still no cure to completely eliminate the virus . Therefore, HPV treatments focus on the genital warts, preventing them from developing into cancer.

In case of infection, be aware that there are several treatments for these symptoms of papillomavirus.

Local treatment

For both men and women, the healthcare professional may initially prescribe topical treatments , consisting of skin treatments. These involve applying topical medications directly to the genital warts, which will promote their disappearance.

Surgical treatments

If topical treatment is ineffective, the symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) can be treated surgically . This involves removing the warts, either by burning them with an electric current or freezing them with liquid nitrogen. If these more superficial treatments are unsuccessful, laser removal of the warts will be performed.

Again, these two treatments will concern both men and women.

More specifically, in cases of HPV treatment of the cervix in women, colposcopy will be used. This method allows visualization of the cervical tissues and detection of any early signs of cancer. Once the colposcopy is performed, the removal of any lesions can be carried out depending on the patient's case.

→ See also : How to get rid of a hickey quickly?

Key points to remember about human papillomavirus (HPV)

We hope this article on human papillomavirus (HPV) has helped you understand this disease. In the meantime, remember: get tested regularly to check for any potential HPV infection!